British News Agency

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha announced that New Zealand has joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

Sybiha said in a social media post that he had received a letter from New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters informing him of the decision to join the coalition.

Noting that New Zealand became the coalition's 51st member, Sybiha said the country's participation strengthens international efforts to return Ukrainian children who, he said, were “illegally deported and forcibly transferred” by Russia to their homeland.

Sybiha said international pressure on Russia increases with every new country that joins, adding: “Ukrainian children must return home.”

Sybiha also thanked New Zealand, Winston Peters and the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support for Ukraine.